# man > dp(8)

---
type: CommandReference
command: dp
mode: man
section: 8
source: man-pages
---

## Quick Reference

- `dp "date_string"` — Parse and display date in RFC 822 format.
- `dp -format "%{text}" "date_string"` — Extract specific field using format string.
- `dp -form formatfile "date_string"` — Use a format file to control output.
- `dp -width 80 "date_string"` — Set output width for formatted display.

## Name

**dp** - nmh parser of RFC 822-style dates

## Synopsis

`/usr/lib/mh/dp` [`-help`] [`-version`] [`-form` _formatfile_] [`-format` _string_] [`-width` _columns_] _dates_ ...

## Options

- `-help` — Print help information.
- `-version` — Show version.
- `-form` _formatfile_ — Read output format from a file (see `mh-format`).
- `-format` _string_ — Use the given format string for output.
- `-width` _columns_ — Set output width (default: terminal width).

## Examples

Parse a date and print it in RFC 822 format:

shell
dp "Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500"
Extract the day-of-week field:

shell
dp -format "%{day}" "2024-01-01"
## See Also

- [fmttest(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/fmttest/1/markdown)
- [ap(8)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/ap/8/markdown)
- *Standard for the Format of ARPA Internet Text Messages* (RFC 822)